How To Get Rid Of Razor Bumps Fast: The Ultimate Guide

Small, irritated, reddened skin-bumps called “razor bumps” are a common (though little talked about) problem for large numbers of people who shave on a regular basis.

These unsightly, and sometimes painful, bumps can be an embarrassment and a beginning point from which pimples and scars can develop.

Knowing how to get rid of razor bumps fast and how to prevent them from occurring to begin with is likely a major concern for you if you have them.

Below, we offer you helpful insight into the causes of razor bumps, how to get rid of razor bumps, and how to prevent razor bumps.

The Causes of Razor Bumps?

Razor bumps are not particularly rare—anyone can get them. They are, however, more common among those with curly hair strands.

The reason is that razor bumps are caused by hair follicles curling over backwards and growing back into the skin.

This, in turn, is caused during shaving when razors bend all or part of a follicle over and bury it in the skin instead of shaving it clean off.

Regardless of which area of your skin surface you are shaving, razor bumps can develop.

Waxing and plucking out hairs and certain other hair removal methods can also cause razor bumps.

They do not occur, however, as a result of laser hair removal treatments or use of a class of hair removal creams called “depilatories.”

How to Get Rid of Razor Bumps

The simplest way to get rid of razor bumps is to stop shaving for a few days—and you should definitely avoid shaving the immediate area where the razor bump is located.

This gives the razor bump time to heal and disappear on its own. This will not always work, however.

In that case, try any of the following methods to get rid of razor bumps:

Using an exfoliating agent, gently scrub off the upper layer of skin over the razor bump. This will free the trapped hair strands and allow them to pop out on their own. If that doesn’t work, apply glycolic or salicylic acid to the bump. This will speed up the rate at which dead skin sheds and lead to the same results as would exfoliation.

Get a sharp needle and a good pair of tweezers. Sterilize the instruments and your skin with rubbing alcohol. Then insert the needle into the top of the razor bump, possibly releasing built-up blood and pus. Now carefully dislodge the ingrown hair with the tweezers. Do not pluck the follicle, as that could cause a new razor bump when the new hair grows.

Get a hot compress or a washcloth soaked in hot water. Apply heat, and wash the affected area. This action will both kill germs and cause the skin pores of the razor bump to open up, which may make the hair pop out. Rub the bump with the rag to further attempt to loosen the hair(s).

Put hydrocortisone cream on the razor bump to combat the redness, itchiness, and inflammation. Within a few days’ time, your razor bump should improve. At that point, don’t put any more hydrocortisone on since excessive use could cause a rash.

Use a product specifically designed to remove razor bumps. Many of these have salicylic acid and hazel as their main ingredients. Be very vigilant to precisely follow manufacturers’ instructions to ensure effective treatment without undesirable side effects.

Apply a cornstarch paste to the razor bump. Wait 20 minutes, and then wash it off. Alternatively, use a cucumber-and-milk mask. Puree about half a cucumber and mix it with a quarter cup milk. Let it cool in the fridge, and apply it for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing.

Other “home remedies” that can help get rid of razor bumps include: applying aloe vera gel to soothe and heal the affected area, using tea tree oil or white tea bags to kill bacteria and reduce swelling, using witch hazel as a natural antiseptic, and putting lemon juice on the razor bump to prevent bacterial growth on the ingrown hair.

How to Prevent Razor Bumps

After you know how to get rid of razor bumps, the very next thing you will want to learn is how to prevent them from returning or spreading to other areas.

Best shaving practices, keeping your skin as clean as possible, and use of certain skin products are the main ways to reduce risk of razor bumps.

Some specific ways to protect yourself from razor bumps include:

Use shaving techniques that guard against razor bump formation, including: always shaving with a fresh blade, never shaving “against the grain,” using thick shaving gels, making as few shaving strokes as possible, and never stretching your skin during shaving.

If you have trouble with ordinary razors, use an electric razor. However, do not use your electric razor at the closest possible setting.

Before shaving, wash your face with a mild soap and water solution, which will soften hairs and open up skin pores. Warm water, a warm rag, or a hot shower just before a shave will also open up your pores.

Scrub your face every day with a facial cleanser since keeping skin clean is winning half the battle against razor bumps.

After shaving, rinse off with cold water. Then apply a moisturizing cream. Use aftershaves with lidocaine or bacitracin in them, which help to reduce itching and kill off bacteria colonies.

Never use multi-bladed razors. These may make fast work of shaving, but these types of blades tend to snap off hairs in a way that causes them to get ingrown.

Never use dull/dirty razors since they can irritate skin and contribute the razor bump formation.

Use depilatory creams or waxes, which do not cause razor bumps, to remove hair instead of reaching for a razor.

Wear clothing that breathes well and wicks away sweat, particularly opting for cotton. Synthetic materials often trap bacteria against your skin and help form razor bumps.

Never scratch or pick at razor bumps you already have, but instead, learn how to get rid of razor bumps in a safe way. Scratching only spreads around the germs and causes you to get even more razor bumps later on.

How to Prevent Razor Bumps in the “Bikini Area”

It is worth giving special section to the “Bikini area” when it comes to learning how to get prevent razor bumps.

Take care of the bikini area first when shaving rather than the legs. The blade is always sharper earlier on, and the duller the blade, the greater the risk of razor bumps.

Be sure to wear cotton or other highly breathable underwear. If skin-friendly clothing material is important elsewhere, it is even more crucial here.

Use a germicidal soap to keep the bikini area bacteria free. After shaving, use a lidocaine-containing aftershave lotion to further eradicate germs.

Soften skin for five minutes prior to shaving with shaving gel and/or warm water. It is easier to shave soft skin without damaging it, which could lead to razor bumps.

Conclusion

Learning how to get rid of razor bumps and how to prevent them, even in the most personal areas, will eliminate a major source of discomfort and embarrassment from your life.

You will find that there is more than one valid answer to the question of how to get rid of razor bumps, but the common threads running through most methods are: cleanliness, letting skin pores breathe, proper shaving techniques, and use of powerful skin applicants, whether store-bought or home remedies.